Comparative study on the toxicity and removal of bisphenol S in two typical freshwater algae

Bisphenol S (BPS), one of the most widely used bisphenol A substitutes, has recently received more attention because of its high detection in water and potential toxicity. In the present study, the toxicity and removal of BPS in typical freshwater algae Navicula sp. were investigated under laboratory conditions and the comparative study with Chlorella vulgaris was also explored. BPS was more toxic to Navicula sp. than C. vulgaris with their 120-h EC₅₀ values of 3.89 and 25.19 mg/L, respectively. It may be mainly ascribed to the high tolerance of C. vulgaris to BPS. For instance, the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities of C. vulgaris were increased under the exposure of 20 mg BPS/L, whereas they were increased in Navicula sp. at 1 mg BPS/L. It is implied that the detoxification mechanism of C. vulgaris was activated until BPS concentration reach to 20 mg L^-1. Moreover, the results had demonstrated that both algae had promoted the removal of BPS at 0.5 mg/L, but the removal could be inhibited as BPS concentration increased. Navicula sp. presented a better removal of BPS because of their higher accumulation, implying that they may be good materials for the removal of BPS. In addition, the sharp increase of BCF value at 72 h in Navicula sp. under the exposure of environmental-related BPS concentration (0.5 mg/L) may indicate a high risk of BPS to aquatic ecosystem. These findings will provide a reference for the risk assessment of BPS in natural waters.